Perhaps you twisted your knee at the gym and although the pain is gone, you find yourself overly cautious because you don’t want to injure yourself again (ummm because knee pain HURTS!). Even the thought of falling out of a routine isn’t enough to motivate you.

So, what do you do?

Personally, I turn to music. Mini does the same.

See? 🙂

Mini and her Viola

What influences the type of music you listen to when you need inspiraton?

The lyrics? An awesome beat? An assignment from school?

For me, it’s lyrics. Hands down. I can deal with music I don’t normally listen to if the lyrics speak to me.

John Jesensky is an award-winning freelance composer who pulls his inspiration from pretty much anywhere. On his website, he describes how he has been inspired by both bird calls and rain falling on a tin roof. I totally get that! There really is something beautiful about the rain’s rhythm.

Mr. Jesensky has a copy of New Morning by Bob Dylan that he claims he could listen to for hours on end. It got me thinking..

What music could I personally listen to for hours on end myself?

I guess there wouldn’t be a specific album (with the exception of Rick Astley’s 50 cuz *heart eyes*), so I’ll share a few songs I personally find inspiration from..

Rick Astley – “Wish Away”

This song is one of my faves to sing to Mini. She hears this one all the time! “I see stars shining, a wish for every one of us. I see silver linings every day. There are billions of stars in our Milky Way. So wish away.” It just encourages you to lean on your loved ones and just keep going.

The Backstreet Boys – “Show Em What You’re Made Of”

For someone who feels like they have to constantly prove themselves, this song is perfect! Don’t let anything get you down. Show the world what you can do! I’m adding this video because BACKSTREET BOYS!

Jimmy Eat World – “The Middle”

Another song I sing to Mini all the time. She hasn’t gotten sick of it yet and I LOVE the message, so it’s going to stay on the playlist. “It’s only in your head you feel left out and looked down on.” Good gravy! Where was this song when I was Mini’s age??

Mary J Blige – “Fade Away”

Sometimes, you need to be inspired to just feel. Feel all the emotions, no matter what they are. Have yourself a good cry and work to move past it. “Sometimes I wish that I could stand here and fade away, so that no one can see the tears running down my face. Invisibility would be great.”

Tyrone Wells – “Time of Our Lives”

Be inspired to look back in love and admiration for your time with someone. I wish this song was around when I graduated high school. It was much better than the song that was popular back then. “It’s hard to walk away from the best of days, but if it has to end, I’m glad you have been my friend – in the time of our lives.” I cry my eyes out when I listen to this song because I love the sentiment.

Bob Dylan – “Idiot Wind”

Sometimes, you listen to someone and the amount of ridiculousness that is coming out of their mouth is too much. With this song in my head, I’m inspired to laugh and let it go. “Idiot wind – blowing every time you move you move your mouth; blowing down the back roads heading south. Idiot wind – blowing every time you move your teeth. You’re an idiot, Babe. It’s a wonder that you still know how to breathe.” Okay, yeah. It might be a little mean.. but it’s also funny.

Alessia Cara – “Scars to Your Beautiful”

This song hits home. Having cut myself and knowing other cutters, my hope is Mini never feels the kind of pan I felt. “There’s a hope that’s waiting for you in the dark. You should know you’re beautiful just the way you are. You don’t have to change a thing. The world could change it’s heart. No scars to your beautiful. We’re stars and we’re beautiful.” I mean.. it just says everything I wish someone had said to me. Sometimes knowing other people know your struggle and are doing okay is inspiring.

I could really go on and on about all the songs that inspire me and why. I thank Mr. Jesensky for inspiring me to share what kind of music inspires me.